Download the printable version of the September 18 issue of GPconnect.
In this edition:
THIS WEEK'S NEWS
New ‘Potluck’ podcast from conference communications premieres this week
Creative Worship Workshop set for Nov. 15-16 in Topeka
Camp Fontanelle breaks ground for first new facility in 50-plus years
CLERGY EXCELLENCE
Storms take their toll on churches, cities – and even pastors
Spiritual formation retreat set for Nov. 4-6 at St. Benedict Center
EQUIPPING DISCIPLES
Network Grants can put ideas into action for churches, networks
Camp Fontanelle celebrates its 60th anniversary with BBQ, auction
Ministers take part in Youth Ministry Foundations retreat
Song provides inspiration for Lay Servant Ministry
MERCY & JUSTICE
Climate change, creation care are subjects of mid-October gathering
Immigrant Legal Center executive director talks about work being done
Palestinians are telling their own stories through art
Living wage crisis is subject of virtual town hall Thursday
ADMINISTRATION
Nebraska UM Foundation adds two new staff members
RESOURCES
‘Faithful and Inclusive’ DVDs available for small group discussion
Few spots remain for communications workshop in Lawrence on Sept. 28
ACROSS THE CONNECTION
Epworth Village celebrates its 130th anniversary with benefit dinner Oct. 17
Pastor from Ghana spending sabbatical in western Nebraska
South Hutch UMC completes its 72nd year of chicken, noodles at State Fair
In other news
Newsletters
Blogs and commentary
The week ahead
Classifieds
New ‘Potluck’ podcast from conference communications premieres this week
One of three new podcasts from the Great Plains Conference, “Potluck,” premieres this Friday. Links will be available on the Great Plains website and through its social media.
It will feature one-on-one interviews with those making a difference in the two-state area and beyond through their ministries and outreach.
David Burke, communications content specialist for the conference, is the host.
“One of the longest-standing customs in Methodism, perhaps moreso in the Great Plains, is the potluck dinner,” he explains in the beginning of the first episode. “Everyone brings out their best to share with their friends and fellow church members. Sometimes you know what you’re going to get, and sometimes you walk away with something unexpected.”
The guest on the first episode is Ronda Kingwood, pastor of Wichita Heart of Christ Church, who talks about starting the church and breaking away from Wichita Saint Mark UMC, the largest predominately black church in the conference.
The first episode concludes with an email and special hotline for comments and suggestions for further episodes.
“Potluck” is the second of three podcasts being introduced by the Great Plains Conference this month.
A podcast audio version of “Harvesting the Great Plains” made its debut last week (Watch the third season of “Harvesting” on video here.)
“In Layman’s Terms with Todd Seifert,” a podcast essay with the Great Plains’ communications director, will premiere next week.
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Creative Worship Workshop
set for Nov. 15-16 in Topeka
Kick off the new year with your worship team with a Creative Worship Workshop, Nov. 15-16 at the Great Plains Conference office in Topeka.
Download a brochure for the workshop.
Bring your worship leaders with you to this Creative Worship Workshop with Jason Moore from Midnight Oil Productions.
Watch a video about the workshop here.
Individuals and teams to come create your 2020 worship plan. Spend time with worship design, planning, processes and come away with some tools for worship.
You can use this event to help focus your team on the next steps for your church in worship. Each session will cover Culture, Art, Team and Technology.
The workshop will be from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 15, and 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16. The cost is $10 for an individual, or $5 per team member from more than one church.
Register for the workshop here.
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Camp Fontanelle breaks ground
for first new facility in 50-plus years
The Camp Fontanelle Site Council, Capital Campaign Committee and key donors were on hand to break ground for 14,000-square-foot retreat center on Sunday at the site location.
Once construction begins, it is projected that the facility will be ready in 14 months. Two large meeting spaces, five smaller meeting spaces/offices, six sleeping suites with attached showers/toilets (72 beds) and additional bathrooms will allow the camp to provide amenities that are currently lacking at the 192- acre camp.
Located south of the community of Fontanelle, in Washington County, Nebraska, Camp Fontanelle provides a summer camping program, a fall corn maze & pumpkin patch, a Christmas Camp for kids in need, and space for retreats, overnights, family reunions and more.
This is the first building constructed with beds and bathrooms since 1967. While there are numerous sleeping experiences, for over 175 people, there are only 44 beds with attached bathrooms. Much of the sleeping areas are for seasonal use only.
The addition of this building allows much more opportunity for usage. The total projected cost of the building, furnishings and endowment is $2.9 million. More than $2.2 million has been raised.
-- Jane Van Horn, Camp Fontanelle
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Clergy Excellence
Storms take their toll on
churches, cities – and even pastors
“The Great Plains has experienced many storms, struggles and disasters in the past year,” the Rev. Shelly Petz writes in her monthly Clergy Faith and Wellness blog. “There are also many clergy who have experienced storms of life in the past year ... death of loved ones, challenges in a ministry setting, health concerns, anxiety, questions of call.”
Read her blog here.
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Spiritual formation retreat set
for Nov. 4-6 at St. Benedict Center
Roots for Your Soul is a spiritual formation retreat, designed to provide clergy with some time away from the routines and challenges of ministry and time and space to intentionally focus on their relationship with God. This retreat will be held Nov. 4-6 at St. Benedict Center near Schuyler, Nebraska.
The intention of this retreat is to offer a place to ground oneself in the roots of our soul, give thanks for the many fruits of our labor, and explore the fullness of who God created us to be.
During the retreat, there will be times of worship and communion, study and reflection, and time to do what is needed in order to flourish and thrive. ?In addition to intentional learning around spiritual formation and soul care, there will also be spiritual directors on hand for more directed work on one’s spiritual life.
Leadership for Roots for Your Soul will be provided by Seanne Emerton, a licensed mental health professional, and the Rev. Thomas Leitner, director of St. Benedict. Emmerton will lead sessions on “Mindful Self-Care” and “Resiliency.” Father Thomas will lead participants in the practice of “Living in the Presence of God” advocated by Brother Lawrence who lived in the 17th century. He believes it is possible to cultivate the deep presence of God in daily living so the awareness of God permeates every moment.
The only cost to clergy for this three-day, two-night retreat is $25. The retreat is from 2 p.m. Nov. 4 to noon Nov. 6. Clergy, can you make room in your schedule to attend? Space is limited so don’t wait to register!
Reserve your spot by clicking here. The deadline for reservations is Oct. 18.?
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Equipping Disciples
Network Grants can put ideas
into action for churches, networks
Ever wonder how to get a grant for something in your church or network? Look no further. Check out this grant: Network Grants
Grants are available for your network as you work on a project together. Go to www.greatplainsumc.org/networks to submit an application for $500 to kickstart your dream. The Great Plains Conference is encouraging collaborative ministry among churches through a system of networks. As these networks determine ways to make disciples and do justice in their areas in accordance with the district/conference strategy, the conference will provide seed money to the projects/initiatives.
Any questions contact, Donna Ernest at dernest@greatplainsumc.org
Check out the www.greatplainsumc.org/grants for a full listing of grants that may interest you, your teams, and your church.
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Camp Fontanelle celebrates its
60th anniversary with BBQ, auction
Camp Fontanelle celebrated 60 years of ministry at their annual BBQ and auctions this past Sunday, Sept. 16.
The day began with worship led by the Rev. Lyle Schoen (pictured above). At the service, first responders were honored for their dedication to serving their community. After the service, food was served, silent and live auctions were held, and it was opening day for the corn maze and pumpkin patch at Camp Fontanelle. Over $30,000 was raised to support the work done at Camp Fontanelle to provide a space for individuals, groups, churches and businesses for retreats, overnights, summer camping and the fall season.
The corn maze and pumpkin patch, which honors first responders with the corn maze design this year, will be open on Saturdays and Sundays through Oct. 27. It is also available during the week by reservation. For more information, go to countryfun.org.
If you were unable to attend the celebration, but would like to support the camp, donations can be sent to Camp Fontanelle, 6977 County Road 3, Fontanelle, NE 68044, or make a donation through the website.
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Ministers take part in Youth
Ministry Foundations retreat
Nine youth ministers recently attended a “Youth Ministry Foundations” retreat, hosted by Youth Ministry Institute Midwest (YMIM) at Asbury United Methodist Church in Prairie Village, Kansas. The event was designed for church staff members that are in their first two years of youth ministry. Workshops were taught by YMIM faculty and included Ben Wheeler, director of youth ministry at First UMC in McPherson, Kansas, and Victoria Luhrs Lynch, member of Church of the Resurrection in Overland Park, Kansas.
YMIM is forming a new cohort for its two-year course of study program, and enrollment is open through October. Youth worker training grants are available through the GPUMC website. Participants in the program typically see their youth programs grow substantially! Contact Matt Vaughan for information at matt@yminstitute.com or 913-972-2530.
Those in attendance at the retreat included (left to right): Ben Wheeler (McPherson First UMC), Heidi Doell (Wichita Chapel Hill UMC), Todd Guinn (Ulysses First UMC), Ed Ostlund (Waverly First UMC), Emily Powers (Olathe Aldersgate UMC), Jake Wiese (Omaha St. Andrew’s UMC), Jacob Martin (Topeka First UMC), Eric Foerster (Overland Park Atonement Lutheran), Andi Stark (Pleasant Hill, Missouri, UMC), and Kevin Gray (Lawrence Central UMC).
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Song provides inspiration
for Lay Servant Ministry
Sometimes a song can provide the best inspiration possible. That’s how Patty Lahey, pastor at Kansas’ Moscow UMC and Dodge City District director of lay servant ministries, feels about “Thank You for Giving to the Lord,” a 1988 contemporary Christian release from singer Ray Boltz.
Read as she shares the lyrics here.
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Mercy & Justice
Climate change, creation care are
subjects of mid-October gathering
Creation care is becoming more and more urgent as we watch fires spread in the Amazon and again see our area farmers under water from flooding.
The Great Plains Conference is one of the major co-sponsors for Elders for the Earth, a multi-day gathering inviting people 50 years and older to come together to learn more about the climate crisis and identify concrete actions to take. The event is Oct. 13-15 at Platte River State Park, between Omaha and Lincoln.
Experts will speak about how climate change is impacting immigrants, how farmers in the Midwest are dealing with the consequences of a changing climate, and what is and isn't in the New Green Deal. Monday evening, Oct. 14, college teams will be joining the group for a Quiz Bowl, The World is in Jeopardy. There will also be time to join a master naturalist and explore the beautiful grounds of the state park!
For more information go to: elders4theearth.com.
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Immigrant Legal Center executive
director talks about work being done
When Emiliano Lerda looks back on his immigration from Argentina to Nebraska, he sees how crucial moments and people made it all possible.
Read more in this interview from Faith & Leadership with Emiliano Lerda, executive director of the Immigrant Legal Center, formerly Justice for Our Neighbors-Nebraska.
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Palestinians are telling
their own stories through art
The Great Plains Conference has a long relationship with Bshara Nassar, founder and director of the Museum of the Palestinian People. He is a member of the Nassar family, who runs the educational farm, Tent of Nations, in Palestine. He was a speaker at events organized through our Holy Land Task Force back in 2016 (pictured here at Urban Abbey in Omaha) and again in 2017. At that time the museum did not exist yet but Nassar shared about the Nakba Museum Project which he had founded in 2014. Working with Palestinian artists, he negotiated exhibit space and set up exhibits in locations across the country.
His dream was to have a permanent place to exhibit art from Palestinian artists. When he first had arrived in the United States to go to university, he visited museums in Washington, D.C. As much as he enjoyed the museums he was troubled that he couldn’t find anything anywhere about his own people. In the meantime, after years of hard work and many volunteers and donors, the Museum of the Palestinian People opened at a permanent location in Washington D.C. For the first time, Palestinians have a space to tell their own stories, stories that encompass the rich history, vibrant arts and culture, and spirit of a people who thrive even in the face of adversity.
To learn more about the stories of Palestinians or sign up for the newsletter go to https://mpp-dc.org/.
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Living wage crisis is subject
of virtual town hall Thursday
Do you know what it’s like to live on minimum wage? Can you imagine earning just $2.19 per hour as a waitress, yet still be responsible for clothing, feeding and caring for a family? Have you ever imagined having to stretch such limited resources and being forced to choose between health care and food or food and clothes? I am saddened that this is the situation in which far too many women find themselves today.
Our Christian text tells us that where two or three are gathered together, our Creator will be in the mix. I am inviting you to join me and your sisters in learning about the living wage crisis and what you can do to help.
From 5-6:15 p.m. Central this Thursday, please participate in a virtual #UMWFaithTalks on Women, Labor and Living Wage with Carol Barton, the United Methodist Women executive for community action. Carol is leading our organization’s fight for paid parental and family leave, as well as the fight to ensure a living wage for all God’s children. Carol partners with UMW women across the country, as well as other social justice advocates, in this work.
Carol’s Faith Talk, a unique virtual chat, will be held via Zoom video conference and you can participate via computer or by phone. To register, click here. Upon registering, you will receive instructions for joining the meeting.
-- Jennifer R. Farmer, United Methodist Women Consultant
Host of #UMWFaithTalks
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Administration
Nebraska UM Foundation
adds two new staff members
Nebraska United Methodist Foundation (numf.org) announces the addition of two new members to the current NUMF staff.
Christy Bousquet has joined the Foundation as administrative assistant. She has an associate’s degree in the executive secretarial program from Southeast Community College. She is looking forward to providing assistance to you and your church and will be enhancing the great customer service from the Foundation that you have grown to know.
Rev. Dr. F. Matt Fowler has joined the Foundation as the director of stewardship. Rev. Fowler is an ordained elder in the United Methodist Church and has a doctor of ministry with a focus on financial stewardship from Perkins School of Theology. He has served as a pastor for 23 years in all sizes of churches in many areas of the state. He has extensive knowledge of the Foundation, having used the Foundation’s services in the churches he served, and also through serving on the Foundation’s board of directors. Rev. Fowler will work with Nebraska churches on their journey to support and sustain their financial well-being. He will also support United Methodists in being good stewards of the resources to which they have been entrusted, and show them how they can leave a legacy within their church.
Bousquet and Rev. Fowler join Jackie Urkoski, executive director, and Marci Logsdon, director of finance. The Nebraska United Methodist Foundation is blessed to be able to expand its staff, and therefore, its outreach and impact, to churches, individuals and ministries throughout the state of Nebraska.
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Resources
‘Faithful and Inclusive’ DVDs
available for small group discussion
The Rev. Rob Fuquay, senior pastor of St. Luke’s UMC in Indianapolis, has created “Faithful and Inclusive: The Bible, Sexuality, and the United Methodist Church,” a DVD series to allow small groups and Sunday school classes to study the actual scriptures used in the battles against LGBT persons, use a Wesleyan approach of biblical interpretation, allow for thoughtful discussion, and offer the faith stories of LGBT United Methodists.
In this six-session DVD resource, produced by the Institute for Discipleship, every session offers multiple opportunities for deep discussion. The study is aimed at centrists who want to learn what the Bible says and then determine their own responses.
Find more information and pre-order the resource now.
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Few spots remain for communications
workshop in Lawrence on Sept. 28
A few spots remain for the Great Plains Conference communications department workshop on local church communications, Sept. 28 at Lawrence Central UMC.
These workshops are meant to help local church pastors, office managers and communications ministry volunteers connect with one another and to learn about best practices related to websites, social media, worship projection tools and more.
Communications director Todd Seifert and website and social media specialist Jayna McFarland will share what they have learned in specialized training and in practice over the years in a variety of ministry contexts. The cost is just $10 per person and covers all workshop materials, snacks and lunch.
Each participant may choose two of four workshops:
- Website do's and don'ts: Potential guests want to “test drive” your church before checking you out in person. How can you ensure your website serves as the evangelism tool you need to reach your mission field? Your website is your front door in the 21st century.
- Social media best practices: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and other platforms can be powerful tools for connecting, not just people within the church, but the church to the community. Learn how to put these mediums to work in reaching your mission field.
- Multimedia worship tools: In this condensed version of a Lay Servant Ministries advanced course, we’ll explore best practices for slide design, work flow and resources to help reduce the amount of time needed to build quality slides for the worship experience.
- Low-tech communications tools: See how tools you already have — bulletins, newsletters, bulletin boards, signage and even parts of your worship space — can be improved relatively easily to help keep the congregation informed while engaging guests.
Dates and locations for the remaining workshops:
- Oct. 12 at Salina Trinity United Methodist Church in Kansas.
- Nov. 9 at Columbus First United Methodist Church in Nebraska.
- Nov. 16 at Cimarron United Methodist Church in Kansas.
Download the flier.
Register for one of the training days.
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Across the Connection
Epworth Village celebrates its 130th anniversary with benefit dinner Oct. 17
The 130th Anniversary Celebration of Epworth Village and the annual Heart of the Matter Benefit Dinner and Auction will be Thursday, Oct. 17 at the Holthus Convention Center on Highway 81, just north of the I-80 York interchange in York, Nebraska. The doors and silent auction open at 5:15 p.m. Dinner is at 5:45 p.m., followed by the 130th Celebration and Live Auction. Reservations are requested by Monday, Oct. 7. Register online at http://www.epworthvillage.org. Invite friends to attend using Facebook Event.
New this year is the online auction. Register now and start bidding. These items will not be on the live auction.
For additional information contact Mary Plock at Epworth Village, mplock@epworthvillage.org or 402-362-3353.
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Pastor from Ghana spending
sabbatical in western Nebraska
A pastor from the Republic of Ghana is spending his sabbatical in western Nebraska.
Godson Akushie will be spending the rest of the month in Gering, hosted by Rev. Seth Leypoldt.
Read more in this article from the Scottsbluff Star-Herald.
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South Hutch UMC completes its 72nd
year of chicken, noodles at State Fair
South Hutchinson UMC has wrapped up its 72nd year of providing chicken and noodles for the Kansas State Fair. The church’s booth is stationed inside Cottonwood Court and also serves beef, meatloaf and vegetables, but is best known for its noodles.
The church produces about 750 pounds of dry noodles every year, beginning in July.
Top photo: The Rev. Claire Gager, South Hutch UMC pastor, and the Rev. Alan Gager, pastor of Burrton-Pleasant Grove UMCs, serve customers.
Below: Church members go all out making pies.
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In other news
Newsletters
- World Communion Sunday, September 18, 2019
- Leading Ideas, September 18, 2019
- A Sermon for Every Sunday, September 17, 2019
- MyCom, September 17, 2019
- United Methodist Now, September 16, 2019
- Leading Ideas Talks, September 14, 2019
- 5 New Ideas from Discipleship Ministries
- Ministry Matters, September 11, 2019
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Blogs and commentary
- Officiating a wedding on ‘Say Yes to the Dress’: The Rev. Jeremy Smith, a Seattle UMC pastor, really did officiate at a wedding recently featured on the TLC reality TV show "Say Yes to the Dress." The wedding of his mother-in-law gave him a chance to show glimpses of United Methodist ritual to a TV audience.
- Pastors, take care of yourselves: The recent suicide of popular pastor Jarrid Wilson gives the Rev. Benjamin Kevin Smalls, pastor of Hope UMC in Southfield, Michigan, counsel for other ministers on the importance of self-care.
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The week ahead
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Classifieds
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